Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva showcased her champion's mentality, overcoming a shaky start to defeat Canada's Victoria Mboko in straight sets and claim the Adelaide International 2026 title on Saturday, January 17.
Andreeva's Remarkable Comeback Seals Victory
The third-seeded Andreeva, ranked 18th in the world, found herself in an early hole, dropping the first three games of the match to the fast-starting Mboko. However, the 18-year-old quickly flipped the script. Andreeva won nine consecutive games, taking 12 of the final 13 games overall, to secure a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory in the championship clash.
This final was a unique battle of youth, featuring the only two players under 20 years old inside the WTA Tour's top 20 rankings. The 19th-ranked Mboko, also a teenager, initially used her powerful game to build a 3-0 lead. Andreeva's response was emphatic, as she strung together a stunning run of 13 straight points to wrestle back control and dominate the remainder of the opening set.
Medical Timeout Fails to Halt Andreeva's Momentum
The second set began in similar fashion, with Mboko again jumping out to a 3-0 advantage. At this point, the Canadian took a medical timeout where officials checked her blood pressure and pulse. Upon returning, she managed to win her first game of the set, but it was only a temporary respite.
Andreeva swiftly reasserted her dominance, winning the next three games in convincing fashion to close out the match and lift the trophy. The win marks the fourth WTA Tour title of Andreeva's promising young career. "I've been practicing a lot," a jubilant Andreeva said after the match. "I've been working, sweating…"
Road to the Australian Open
Despite the loss, Mboko's rapid rise continues. The owner of two career titles, including a prestigious WTA 1000 win in Montreal last year, she is set to rise to a career-high ranking of World No. 16. She offered gracious words for her opponent: "Sorry I couldn't be 100 percent, but I want to give a huge congrats to Mirra for playing incredible tennis today and her team, of course, too."
Both players now turn their attention to the season's first Grand Slam. Mboko will make her Australian Open debut on Monday against another teenager, Australia's Emerson Jones. Andreeva, who has reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park in each of the past two years, will begin her campaign against Croatia's Donna Vekic.
In the men's final held later on Saturday, Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic claimed the title by defeating France's Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-2.
